West End actors and chorus members are asking for the £518 a week Equity
minimum to be increased by 10 per cent

West End performers are demanding a pay rise of up to 10 per cent and a longer notice period for closing shows.

Equity minimum rates for West End actors, singers and chorus members currently range from £518-£633 per week, depending on the number of seats in the venue.

The union is arguing that West End shows enjoyed record box office takings last year, and performers deserve to benefit.

It is also calling for the minimum notice period for show closures to be doubled from two weeks to four. There was unhappiness earlier this year when The Full Monty and the X Factor-inspired I Can’t Sing! announced they were to close early, giving the cast only 14 days notice.

Equity has submitted the requests to the Society of London Theatre ahead of negotiations over a new settlement for its members, which will come into effect from April 2015.

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Members wish to see the minimum rate of £518.23 for the smallest theatres (up to 799 seats) increased by 10 per cent, and an eight per cent increase for those at the higher rate of £633.40 (for theatres with 1,100 or more seats).

A union spokesman told The Stage: “We know managers have the money to substantially improve the pay levels of members working in the West End.

“They have been boosted by record box office takings, with more people visiting theatres in the capital in 2013 than ever before. They are enjoying a tax windfall because they no longer have to pay class 1 national insurance contributions and they are benefiting from government tax breaks on producing shows.”

Other requests include abolishing the current minimum rate for child performers. At the moment, children are paid 50 per cent of the adult rate but Equity argues that this should be replaced by a pro rata arrangement as children are allowed to work only a fraction of the hours undertaken by adult performers.